Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl; stir well with a whisk and set aside. Place bagel cubes on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes or until toasted; allow to cool. Combine lettuce, cheese and croutons in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well. Serve immediately. Expect about 8 one cup servings.

BAREFOOT CARROT SALAD

1/3 cup golden raisins

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 pound carrots

3 TBSP sugar

2 TBSP fresh lemon juice

½ tsp salt

¼ cup sour cream

1/3 cup diced fresh pineapple

Place the raisins in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them sit for 5 minutes and then drain. Grate the carrots and place in a medium bowl, add the lemon juice and toss. For the dressing, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, sugar and salt. Pour the dressing over the carrots and add the pineapple and raisins. Toss together and serve.

BLUEBERRY STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Toast

Blueberry Syrup

12 slices of French Bread, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup sugar

2 8-oz pkgs cream cheese, chilled & cut into 1-inch cubes

2 TBSP cornstarch

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 cup water

12 large eggs

1 cup blueberries

1/3 cup of maple syrup

1 TBSP unsalted butter

2 cups milk

For Toast– Grease a 13x9 baking pan. Place ½ of the bread cubes evenly in the pan. Scatter the cheese cubes and blueberries over the bread, then cover with the remaining bread cubes. Combine eggs, syrup, and milk and whisk to blend. Pour evenly over the bread mixture. Chill in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake, covered with foil for 30 minutes; then for 30 minutes more uncovered until puffed and golden brown. Serve with fresh blueberry syrup.

For Syrup– Combine water, cornstarch and sugar and cook in a saucepan, stirring as needed for about 5 minutes, until thickened. Add the blueberries and simmer for about 10 minutes. Then add the butter and stir until melted.

BRAZILIAN LIMEADE

6 cups cold water

4 juicy limes (with thin skins), washed and quartered

½ to ¾ cups sweetened condensed milk

Wash the limes thoroughly because you’ll be using the whole thing, skin and all. Cut the ends off and quarter. Combine the water and limes in a blender, in batches if necessary, and blend until totally smooth, about 3 minutes. Strain the lime mixture through a sieve into a large bowl and press on the solids until only the pulp remains. Discard the pulp. Pour the liquid into a pitcher and stir in the sweetened condensed milk to taste. Serve over lots of ice. This drink doesn’t keep well, so don’t prepare, other than cutting and measuring, in advance.

BREAKFAST BURRITOS

One 16-oz can of Green Enchilada Sauce

2 large potatoes, bite size

1 small can of diced green chilies

6 oz shredded cheddar cheese

1 dozen eggs, scrambled

½ cup of your favorite picante sauce

1 roll of mild pork sausage

8-10 burrito size flour tortillas

Brown the potatoes until done. Cook the sausage in another skillet, breaking it into pieces when done. Scramble the eggs in the same skillet. Add potatoes, green chilies, cheese, and picante sauce. Mix gently. Spoon this mix on the tortilla, add two or three tablespoons of enchilada sauce, then fold and tuck one end of the burrito. 45 seconds in the microwave and you are ready.

CALABAZAS A LA ESPANOLA

2 large ears fresh corn

1/2 pound squash, chopped bite sized

½ cup finely chopped onion

2 cups tomatoes, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

½ tsp dried oregano

1 TBSP light cooking oil

¼ tsp pepper

½ pound zucchini, chopped bite sized

Salt to taste

With a sharp knife, cut kernels from the ears of corn to measure a cup and a half - do not scrape the cobs. In a skillit, sauté the onion and garlic in oil until tender, but not brown. Stir in the corn, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes or until tender. Feeling bold? Cook up a little ground chorizo sausage and add it to the pan with the vegetables. Serve like stew, as a side dish, or any way you like it!

CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE

Carcass and bones of one 4-5 lb roast chicken

1 medium onion, chopped

4 cups chicken broth

1 bay leaf

2 medium carrots, sliced ¼ inch

¾ cup rice (I like Jasmine)

2 celery stalks, sliced ¼ inch

A handful of chopped parsley

Saute the onion in a little oil in a large pot until translucent. Add the bones and the carcass from a leftover chicken, Cover with the broth and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, reduce to simmer and cook for 20 minutes.

Remove the bones and carcass with tongs, set aside to cool. Add the carrots, celery, and bay leaf to the broth, bring back to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are about half done, about 10 minutes. Stir in the rice, making sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot, and cook till al dente, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, pick the meat off the bones and shred into bite size pieces. When the rice is done, add the meat, salt and pepper to taste, and simmer until warmed through, about 1 minute. Stir in the parsley, serve and enjoy!

CHRISTMAS TOFFEE

2 sticks butter (Don't use margarine!)

1 TBSP light Karo syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup blanched slivered almonds

1 TBSP water

6 oz. pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips

On medium heat, melt the butter. Add sugar, water, and Karo syrup, stirring constantly for ten minutes or more – until the mixture turns butterscotch in color (do not undercook - undercooking will make the toffee grainy and awful). Add the almonds and pour onto a cookie sheet. Spread the mixture out on the sheet. Top with chocolate chips, spreading as they melt. Let this cool completely. Break into pieces.

CLASSIC CREAM SCONES

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup cream (half & half OK)

¼ cup sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp salt

½ cup Craisins

1/3 cup butter, chilled

1 egg mixed with 1 tsp water

Mix the dry ingredients. Cut the butter in small cubes and mix into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter, mixing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the Craisins. Stir together one egg, cream and vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients and the egg mixture. The dough will be moist. Pat the dough into a 12 inch round about ½ inch thick. Cut in pie shaped pieces and place on a cookie sheet. Brush the tops with the egg and water mixture. Bake 13 to 14 minutes at 425 degrees.

COMFORTING CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

2 or 3 quarts chicken stock

2 ten oz cans Cream of Chicken soup

3 cups cooked chicken, cubed

¾ pkg uncooked wide egg noodles (take a guess: some part of a 1 lb package)

1 cup (8 oz) sour cream

1 ½ cups chopped fresh or frozen veggies of your choice

Bring the stock to a boil (the quantity may vary depending on how you like the consistency of your soup). Add the noodles and cook until tender. Do not drain. Add soup, chicken and vegetables and heat through. Remove from heat, stir in the sour cream, and sprinkle with parsley. You can prepare the full recipe and freeze the leftovers!

COWBOY EGGS

1 TBSP olive oil

8 eggs

2 TBSP butter

2 TBSP milk

1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced

½ cup grated pepper jack cheese

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

2 TBSP minced fresh chives

¾ cup diced country ham

Heat the olive oil and butter in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the potato with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring a few times, until the potato is tender and lightly browned, 7-9 minutes. Add the ham and cook, stirring occasionally, another 2 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Continue whisking until the eggs are nice and frothy.

When the potato and ham are cooked, reduce the heat to medium low. Add the eggs and let cook until they just begin to set, about 1 minute. Using a heatproof rubber spatula, gently push the eggs around the pan, letting any uncooked egg run onto the bottom of the pan. Stir in the pepper jack cheese and olives. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the eggs have set and the cheese has melted, 2-3 minutes more. Transfer to a warmed serving platter and serve right away.

You can substitute bacon, sausage or Mexican style chorizo for the ham. And you can add just about any other ingredient either in the scramble or on the side. Try it with fresh tomato, fresh avocado and salsa.

FOOLPROOF SPAGHETTI CARBONARA

8 slices of bacon, cut to ½ inch pieces

3 teaspoons pepper

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound spaghetti

3 ounces Parmesan/Romano cheeses, grated

1 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs plus 1 large yoke

¾ cup peas

Bring the bacon and ½ cup water to simmer in a 10 inch skillet over medium heat. Cook until water evaporates and bacon begins to sizzle, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low and cook another 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Strain bacon mixture and set aside. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the fat to a medium bowl, add Parmesan, Romano, eggs and yoke, and pepper and whisk until combined. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot with 2 quarts of water and salt to al dente. Just before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and place in a large serving bowl. Slowly whisk ½ cup of the pasta water into the egg and cheese mixture. Pour the mixture over the pasta, add bacon and peas, tossing to coat for a few minutes. Adjust the consistency with the remaining pasta water.

FRESH BLUEBERRY SCONES

2 cups all-purpose flour

5 TBSP unsalted butter, cold chunks

1 TBSP baking powder

1 cup fresh blueberries

½ tsp salt

1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing scones

2 TBSP sugar

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Sift together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Using 2 forks or a pastry blender, cut in the butter to coat the pieces with the flour mixture. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Fold the blueberries into the batter, taking care not to mash or bruise or you’ll risk staining the dough. Make a well in the center and pour in the heavy cream. Fold everything together just to incorporate…don’t overwork the dough. Press the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12 inches long, 3 inches wide and 1.5 inches high. Cut the rectangle in half and then half again, leaving 4 squares. Cut the squares in half on the diagonal. Place the scones on an ungreased cookie sheet and brush the tops with a little heavy cream. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until brown and beautiful. Let stand for a minute and drizzle with a little honey. Plan to fix a double batch!

FRESH SPINACH SALAD

Salad

Dressing

About 10 cups fresh spinach

2/3 cup sugar

1 small red onion, sliced thin

1/3 cup canola oil

1 can water chestnuts, drained & sliced

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 TBSP poppy seeds

¼ tsp paprika

1 TBSP sesame seeds

¼ cup sliced almonds

Combine spinach, onions, chestnuts and strawberries. Prepare the dressing. Combine the salad, dressing, seeds and almonds. You may want to prepare a little extra dressing, on the side, just in case.

HOLLANDAISE

Melt one stick of butter and let it cool to warm but not hot. Put three egg yolks in a mixing bowl, add the butter and blend with an electric hand mixer until thickened. Add a capful of lemon juice (reconstituted is ok) and a dash of salt and pepper as you go. Go lightly. In the past we’ve tended to whip the mixture too much, making it too stiff. It will thicken some as it sits.

MAHI MAHI WITH MANGO AND CORN SALSA

1 TBSP olive oil

1 TBSP sugar

½ tsp minced garlic

½ tsp cayenne pepper

½ red bell pepper

1 jalapeno pepper, diced

1 can corn, drained

Chopped mango

1 tsp butter

Chopped avocado

Rub the Mahi filets with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Heat your grill to medium low. In a skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic and thinly sliced bell pepper until soft but still slightly crisp, about 3 minutes. Add corn, butter, sugar and cayenne pepper. Cook for 5 minutes. Add diced jalapeno and cook for 2 minutes. Grill the Mahi filets, 3 to 4 minutes on each side, being careful not to overcook. Take the salsa off the heat and add the mango and avocado, you’ll know how much. Plate the filets and top with the salsa…be generous.

MARY JANES

1 cup canola oil (or your choice)

½ tsp salt

1 cup chopped pecans

3 cups flour

1 cup maple syrup

½ TBSP baking powder

2 cups chopped dried fruit

1 cup Quakers Oats

1 tsp orange extract

Mix the wet ingredients and then the dry ingredients. Mix the two together. Soak the fruit first if necessary to soften. Spoon drop the cookies onto an ungreased sheet pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

MEXICAN MEATBALLS

1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine

1 large egg

2 cloves garlic, chopped fine

2 tsp salt

1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped fine

¼ tsp ground pepper

1 pound ground pork

1 tsp ground cumin

½ pound ground beef

1 16-oz jar of your favorite salsa

½ cup dry breadcrumbs

Heat your oven to 400 degrees. Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and let cool. In a large bowl, combine the pork, beef, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, cumin and onion mixture. Shape into meatballs. Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil in your skillet and brown these on all sides, about 6 minutes total. If your skillet is not ovenproof, transfer the meatballs to a baking dish. Otherwise, pour your favorite salsa over the top and bake until cooked through, about 25 minutes.

Serve these over rice, or if you’re in the mood for soft tacos, serve them inside a corn or flour tortilla and top with shredded cheese. My favorite, break two or three into large pieces and wrap with scrambled eggs inside a tortilla for fantastic breakfast burritos!

NORWEIGIAN BERLINER KRANSER

4 hard boiled egg yokes

4-5 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

4 raw egg yokes, reserve the whites

Topping:

1 cup sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

4 sticks unsalted butter, soft

4 egg whites

In a large bowl, mash boiled egg yokes and mix together with raw egg yokes and sugar until super smooth. Add ¼ butter and ¼ flour to the yokes and sugar. Mix and alternate adding flour and butter until all the butter is mixed in. Add enough of the remaining flour to make a firm dough, just enough to hold its shape. Place on wax paper, shape into a log and refrigerate for about an hour. Cut into chunks small enough to roll in to ropes about as thick and long as a slim cigar. Cross one end over the other to make a simple wreath shape. Beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Brush wreaths with whites, sprinkle with sugar. Place on a baking sheet about an inch apart and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. They bake up beautifully and store and ship well, which makes them a go to Christmas gift.

You may prefer more jalapeno, or less. Combine all the ingredients, then stir in some jalapeno. More or less cilantro, then a dash of salt. This salsa gathers flavor as it sits in the frig. Serve it immediately if you’ve run out of time, or let it rest for an hour or two, or overnight. You can dress it by adding fresh ingredients, just like your old soup pot.

PUMPKIN CORNMEAL MUFFINS

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup yellow cornmeal

¾ cup light brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

½ cup milk

1 tsp baking soda

4 eggs

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 15 oz can solid pumpkin

½ tsp salt

1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour

¼ tsp ground cloves

Raisins, if desired

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat two 6-cup muffin tins with vegetable cooking spray. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to slow, add the remaining ingredients, and beat for three minutes or just until smooth. Spoon the batter into the muffin pans. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. Remove from oven and muffin tins and cool on a wire rack.

RED BEANS AND RICE

1 lb dry red beans

Ms. Dash, seasoned salt, pepper

1 lb hot links or kielbasa sausage

2 celery stalks, chopped

10 bacon strips, grilled cut into ½ inch thick rounds

Hot red pepper sauce

1 large onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 TBSP chopped thyme

Steamed rice

1 green pepper, chopped

Cook the beans as you do: either soak them overnight, or bring to a boil for one minute, and then let stand for one hour before continuing to cook – 45 minutes or so. Leave plenty of liquid. Cook the bacon and set aside. Use some of the bacon grease to sauté the celery, onion, green pepper, and garlic. Add these veggies to the beans and liquid, along with the crumpled bacon, sausage, thyme and seasoning. Cook, uncovered, until the beans are tender and the cooking liquid has formed a thick sauce, about 30 minutes. Don’t under-season this dish. Serve in bowls over steamed rice. Your own method for cooking rice will be perfect. Add hot sauce as desired to individual bowls.

RIGHT ON TIME EGGS

1 lb Boulder brand Chorizo

4 oz can sliced black olives

2 large cans hominy

18-24 eggs

1 10 oz can diced green chilies

1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

4 oz jar of pimentos

1 large can Stokes Green Chili Sauce with Pork

Heat the chorizo, hominy, green chili, pimento, and black olives. Add the eggs (scramble right in the pan). Keep stirring constantly until the eggs set, then mix in the cheese. Cover. When the cheese has melted, the dish is ready. And the topper! Heat the Stokes Green Chili Sauce with Pork (no substitutes). Spoon this over each serving of eggs. The recipe may not serve as many as you think!

SIMPLE MINESTRONE SOUP

½ cup chopped onion

1 cup fresh kernel corn

1 ½ cups chopped tomato

1 can kidney beans

1 cup sliced carrot

1 can green beans

1 cup sliced zucchini

¾ cup uncooked macaroni

10 cups water

Seasonings:

1 Tbsp fresh garlic

Lawry’s seasoned salt

Ms. Dash

2 Tbsp chicken broth concentrate (dissolved)

Pinch of leaf basil

Pinch of black pepper

Olive oil

Pistou:

½ cup fresh chopped or dry basil (if dry, combine just ¼ cup of the basil with ½ cup of warm water and soak for 15 minutes)

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp fresh garlic

Pinch of salt

1/3 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

Heat some olive oil in a large cooking pan. Put in the onion and 1 Tbsp of garlic and sauté to soft. Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, carrots, corn and water with chicken concentrate. Add a pinch of leaf basil, and a pinch of pepper. Add Lawry’s and Ms. Dash to taste. Be generous! Heat to boiling and then simmer for thirty minutes. Add the green beans, zucchini, and macaroni. Simmer 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the Pistou. Stir a spoonful of Pistou into each bowl when you serve. Add additional Parmesan cheese if you prefer more.

STEAK SALAD WITH TOMATO AND BLUE CHEESE

2 tbsp mustard

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

¾ cup chopped celery

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

2 green onions, chopped

¼ tsp each kosher salt and pepper

3 oz blue cheese, crumbled

1 lb skirt steak, cut into 3 pieces

2 tbsp lemon juice

5 oz arugula

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Mix mustard, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add steak and toss to coat, then transfer steak and sauce to a zip lock bag and let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Heat the grill to high and then grill the steak, turning once halfway through, until done the way you like, about 6 to 8 minutes for medium. Remove and let the steak rest, covered in foil, about 10 minutes before slicing thin against the grain.

Put the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently to combine. If you aren’t a huge fan of the peppery taste of arugula, cut the quantity with some mixed greens. Don’t substitute completely, though. Arugula and steak taste great together.

Divide the salad among 4 plates and serve the grilled steak over the salad.

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD

2 2/3 cups coarsely chopped pretzels

2 cups whipped topping

1 cup melted margarine

6 oz strawberry Jello

8 oz pkg cream cheese

2 pkgs frozen sliced strawberries

1 cup sugar

Mix the coarsely chopped pretzels and melted margarine and place in a 9 x 13 pan. Bake this at 350 degrees for 10 minutes and chill. Cream together cream cheese and sugar. Fold in whipped topping. Layer this on the crust and chill. Dissolve strawberry Jello in 2 cups of boiling water and add frozen sliced strawberries. Let this mixture set up partially before putting it on top of the other mixtures. Let the salad set up before serving. If desired, you can put more pretzels on top.

TOMATO-VEGGIE STEW

1 onion, quartered

3 large cloves garlic

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 28 oz can tomato puree

1 6 oz can tomato paste

2 cups celery, diced

1 ½ cups onion, diced

1 large green pepper, diced

1 eggplant, diced small

2 zucchini, diced

1 TBSP Italian herb seasoning

1 tsp oregano

Put the quartered onion, garlic, and about 1/3 of the tomatoes in a blender; blend well. Add the tomato paste and blend again. Put the mix in a pot and add the other vegetables, seasonings, and tomato products. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and let simmer uncovered for 45 minutes or so. This “stew” is hugely versatile: over pasta, rice, beans or potatoes. Add chunks of simmered chicken for a rich spaghetti sauce or an oven casserole.

TRADITIONAL GREEK SALAD

7 oz Greek Feta cheese

½ cucumber, sliced

1 head of romaine lettuce

12 Greek black olives, pitted & halved

4 tomatoes, cut into fourths

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley & basil

Combine lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber in a salad bowl. Scatter the cheese and toss together. For the dressing, mix 6 tbsp virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 crushed garlic clove, a pinch of sugar and salt and pepper. Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad greens and toss together. Then scatter the olives and chopped herbs and serve!

VEGETABLE BEEF BARLEY SOUP

½ lb ground beef

½ cup sliced celery

½ cup chopped onion

½ cup sliced carrots

2 cloves chopped garlic

2 beef bouillon cubes

7 cups water

½ tsp basil

1 14 oz can chopped tomatoes

1 bay leaf

½ cup dry barley

9 oz package frozen veggies

Brown the beef and drain, if necessary. Add the onion and garlic and brown for another 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in all remaining ingredients, except the frozen veggies, salt and pepper to taste, and simmer one hour. Then add the frozen veggies and simmer another 10 minutes. You can prepare the full recipe and freeze the leftovers!

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